Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

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Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

Careers / Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

Summary Description


	Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Charge Nurse

2.	Clinic Licensed Practical Nurse (CLINIC LPN)

3.	Clinic Nurse

4.	Home Health Care Provider

5.	Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

6.	Licensed Practical Nurse, Clinic Nurse (LPN, Clinic Nurse)

7.	Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

8.	Nursing Technician

9.	Office Nurse

10.	Pediatric Licensed Practical Nurse (PEDIATRIC LPN)

11.	Private Duty Nurse

12.	Triage Licensed Practical Nurse (TRIAGE LPN)

Job Tasks

	Administer prescribed medications or start intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patients' charts. Record patient medical histories. Administer intravenous medications.

	Observe patients, charting and reporting changes in patients' conditions, such as adverse reactions to medication or treatment, and taking any necessary action. Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities. Record patient medical histories.

	Answer patients' calls and determine how to assist them.

	Measure and record patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. Measure the physical or physiological attributes of patients. Record patient medical histories.

	Provide basic patient care or treatments, such as taking temperatures or blood pressures, dressing wounds, treating bedsores, giving enemas or douches, rubbing with alcohol, massaging, or performing catheterizations. Administer basic health care or medical treatments. Apply bandages, dressings, or splints.

	Work as part of a healthcare team to assess patient needs, plan and modify care, and implement interventions. Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

	Supervise nurses' aides or assistants. Supervise patient care personnel.

	Evaluate nursing intervention outcomes, conferring with other healthcare team members as necessary. Analyze quantitative data to determine effectiveness of treatments or therapies. Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

	Sterilize equipment and supplies, using germicides, sterilizer, or autoclave. Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.

	Make appointments, keep records, or perform other clerical duties in doctors' offices or clinics. Schedule patient procedures or appointments. Maintain medical facility records. Perform clerical work in medical settings.

	Provide medical treatment or personal care to patients in private home settings, such as cooking, keeping rooms orderly, seeing that patients are comfortable and in good spirits, or instructing family members in simple nursing tasks. Assist patients with hygiene or daily living activities. Train patients, family members, or caregivers in techniques for managing disabilities or illnesses.

	Assemble and use equipment, such as catheters, tracheotomy tubes, or oxygen suppliers. Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use. Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.

	Set up equipment and prepare medical treatment rooms. Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.

	Record food and fluid intake and output. Record patient medical histories.

	Collect samples, such as blood, urine, or sputum from patients, and perform routine laboratory tests on samples. Test biological specimens to gather information about patient conditions. Collect biological specimens from patients.

	Prepare patients for examinations, tests, or treatments and explain procedures. Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members. Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.

	Help patients with bathing, dressing, maintaining personal hygiene, moving in bed, or standing and walking. Assist patients with hygiene or daily living activities.

	Prepare or examine food trays for conformance to prescribed diet. Manage preparation of special meals or diets.

	Wash and dress bodies of deceased persons.

	Inventory and requisition supplies and instruments. Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment. Order medical supplies or equipment.

	Clean rooms and make beds. Clean medical equipment or facilities.

	Assist in delivery, care, or feeding of infants. Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.

	Apply compresses, ice bags, or hot water bottles. Treat patients using physical therapy techniques.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
	Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic nursing care. They work under the direction of registered nurses and doctors.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
	Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work in many settings, including nursing homes and extended care facilities, hospitals, physicians' offices, and private homes. Most work full time.

	Read More >>

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Interesting Fact

Casanova, the famous adventurer and lover, worked as a librarian until his death in 1798.

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